Cirrhosis from Alcohol

Hello,

I am the caretaker of my brother in law. He has cirrhosis and is not doing terrific. His biggest issue right now is the intense itching. He was doing better in this regard and then it got worse again. Overall, he is not doing stellar. He is very yellow/gray (bili has been over 25 for over two months) and he has low sodium and encephalopy. He does not remember stuff and gets confused rather easily. Is there anyone else going through a similar situation?

Thanks!

mom1987,

Welcome to the Hep forum. We are a group of patients and those who love and/or care for patients affected by the various types of liver disease.

Cirrhosis can be a rough diagnosis. But as long as a liver is functioning a little (compensated), one can live on, but the symptoms are rough.

My partner went downhill for YEARS and it was awful for both of us...things may get worse for your BIL...you say he forgets things, is confused. The next stage is rage and can get ugly. Mike made me cry every single day for a long time.

A cirrhosis diagnosis can be from several causes....alcoholism, Hep C, etc. Mike dealt with both and added a Heptocellular carcinoma to the mix...we called it the hat trick of liver disease.

The way to keep things together requires total sobriety, eating as healthy as possible while feeling awful...low sodium, lots of fruits and veggies, avoid red meat (stick to fish and chicken, beans).

Is he taking lactulose and Xifaxan? They really helped. When the liver is doing poorly, toxins build in the blood rather than excreting normally. The lactulose is a liquid laxative that encourages excretion of toxins. The Xifaxan is an antibiotic that works wonders in the bowels. The first is inexpensive, NOT tasty, the second is sometimes NOT approved by insurances. We have ideas, just ask.

On the blue line above these posts there is a SEARCH feature. Click on it, and put in a key word, HE or Xifaxan, etc, and old posts will be sorted for you to read.

At the top of these threads is a Resources sections with a world of information and links on many topics...spend some time there,

Welcome,

Mama Lama

I'm doing fine and hope you and yours are fine as well. As you may have noticed that much of the old team answering the board has fallen off. All for various reasons but none life threatening. Things change and we also have to change. Although I used to love coming here and helping several years back when the forum had heart as opposed to sterile answers from machines. I thought that was what separated us from other forums, Instead of a slap in the face and pull yourself up by the boot straps site. It has become moderated to the point of sterility. Not a great forum but a excellent history book now. Yes, I still visit here but not for comment as much as the habit.
I've lived another year when I was given only 3 months. I have laughed and cried while being a member here over the years. Seen a lot of way better folks than me die. As for my health well: Latest Blood test shows I'm still hovering at a nice 8 MELD score. Shunt is still flowing correctly and my liver is still at 15% functionality. I'm off the list and UNC gets a visit once a year. The local Gastro doctor keeps up with my Hep Doctor should anything go awry. As for my personality/demeanor? Lets just say I'm as sweet as a freshly washed ******.

Ziff

Ziff,
Good to see you here and to learn that you are doing well. I think of all the forum members often and with thankfulness.

Just posted an update on Dougie and I. Both of us are doing well too.

Question - how is David? I haven't seen any activity from him in a long while. I hope that he too, is well.

Big Hugs,
Emma